Chapter 8, Problem

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: An explanation corresponding to the fact that the nitrogen-oxygen bond lengths in ${\text{N}}_{\text{2}}{\text{O}}_{\text{4}}$ and ${\text{N}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}$ are nearly identical is to be stated.

Concept introduction: The bond length is the distance between the nuclei of atoms and bond order is defined as the total number of bonds present in a molecule. When the bond order is high, the bond length is shorter because of the stronger attraction between the atoms.

To determine: The reason for an identical nitrogen-oxygen bond lengths in ${\text{N}}_{\text{2}}{\text{O}}_{\text{4}}$ and ${\text{N}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}$ molecules.